Gas flow regulator



Dec. 10, 1940. A. E. .JURSv GAS FLOW REGULATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet.l 1

INVENTOR.

Filed June 24, 1938 5T r w.

f. .A L M ,JHJMHTIIH GAS FLOW REGULATOR vFiled June 24,1958 2 sheets-sheet Lm. s Q Q r m l #4 Si 7 /n- I Si m wf ve@ Q TCM u l' Q *fr-1E E ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 10, 1940 lUNITED STATES PATENT orricr.

6 Claims.

This invention relates generally to devices for controlling flow of gases in accordance with gas pressures. More particularly the invention is concerned with Adevices for automatically relieving gas or vapor pressures, such as may accumulate in gas or vapor systems. Devices of this type lare useful in connection with pressure receivers -or storage tanks, as for lexample with storage tanks containing Vvolatile liquids like gasoline or yother petroleum fractions, where abnormal vapor pressure within the tank must be relieved Aby venting or withdrawal or gas, when it attains predetermined values.

It is an object of the invention to `provide an improved device of the above character which is simple in mechanical construction, and which avoids use of conventional guide lbearings for the `main valve pallet or closure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a regulator or relief valve of the above character, which will have adequate provision for draining away any liquid condensate which 4may form within the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a relief valve which functions for both abnormal pressures and vacuum, such as might endanger the storage tank with which the valve is used.

Another object of the invention is to provide A a relief valve which will not be aiected by pressure or suction surges of momentary duration.

Additional objects of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiment of the invention has been set forth in detail in conjunction with the ac,`

companying drawings.

Referring to the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevational View, in cross-section, illustrating a regulator incorporating the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a view of the regulator illustrated in Fig. 1, partly in cross-section, the section being at right angles to the view illustrated in Fig. l. That form of the invention illustrated in the l drawings consists of a hollow body part Illa, provided with inlet opening II and outlet opening I2. Where the device is used with a storage tank containing petroleum fractions, the outlet I2 may connect to a vapor recovery system, or

50- may discharge directly to the atmosphere.

55 face of the closure I3, which contacts with the Within the valve body there is a main valve pallet or closure I3. Closure I3 cooperates with a stationary seat ring I4, which in turn is carried by the raised annular flange I6. The lower upper face of seat ring I4, can be faced with a removable ring I'I of suitable material such as Duprene, Corprene, or like resilient synthetic rubber. Aslthe device is normally used seat ring Ifi is in horizontal position, so that the closure I3 moves vertically between open and closed positions.

the .embodiment illustrated the closure i3 is Vformed of `suitable rigid metal, as for example cast metal or metal alloy, and its central portion is dished downwardly.V 'Threaded :into .the lower end of the `closure I3 there is a short .pipe section I8, which forms a restricted orifice I9. This torice .establishes f restricted communication between the upper and lower sides of the closure :I3, Vfor the purpose to be presently eX- plained. `Also any rcondensate formed'or draining down uponthe upper face of closure I3 is drained through orifice I9 into the inlet opening II.

In conjunction with the .closure I3 thereis Van annular flexible diaphragm 2l. This'diaphragm is formedof suitable flexible material such .as fabric reinforced synthetic rubber. The inner peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm 2| is clamped and sealed to the outer peripheral portion `of the closure i3 as illustrated. The outer peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm .2l vis clamped between the main bodygportion Ilia and the .-intermediate body portion lIllb. When the closure I3 is in closed position asillustrated in Fig. 1, there is no appreciable sag to the diaphragm 2I, andthe -diaphragmvserves to generally center the closure with respect to the valve seat. y l

While the centering thus affordedr by dia. phragm `2I can be reliedupon in the absence of additional centering or guiding means, it is'desirable Ato luseadditional vmeans to insure against the .cooking or chattering. Thus a depending rod v2.3 lis shown attached to the center of the closure Ii3, and Vthe lower end of this -rod is attached to a plurality of radially extending strips 24. These strips are formed of suitable iiexible' material,l such as fabric reinforced syn? thetic rubber, and the outer ends `of these str-ips are attached to the adjacent portions of the body ma., as indicated at 2li.A It will be rnoted asviewed in Fig. 2 that strips 24 are drawn substantially taut when the valve member t3 is in closed position. y.. 4

The intermediate body part `Illb affords a Yclosure wall 21 yextending over the valve member I3 and the rannular `diaphragm I2l.v Thus there is formed a closed chamber 28 which isin com-y Opening of the closure or pallet I3 is accom? plished by rapid venting of chamber 29, whereby pressure acting upon the lower side of the pallet is sumcient to force it upwardly to open position. In the type of valve illustrated the venting is controlled by pilot valve means, which in turn acts in response to the pressure upon the iniiow side.

The desirable type of pilot valve means illustrated is constructed as follows: Bolted upon the intermediate body part Ib, there is an upper body part IIlc. Between these body parts and particularly above the wall 21, there is a diaphragm assembly 29. This assembly includes a rigid disc 3l,k and an outer flexible diaphragm portion 32. The flexible portion 32 has its outer peripheral edge clamped between annular flanges, afforded by the body parts IOband I0c. The closed gas chamber 3l] below the diaphragm 32is adapted to be connected to the source of pressure on the inflow side of the regulator, as for example to the vapor space of the tank with which the device is used, as by means of a pipe 33. Note that wall 21 forming the lower wall of chamber 30,v is sloped as illustrated in Fig..2, and that the duct 34 leading to pipe 33 is. also sloped, whereby any condensate tending to accumulate within chamber 30 is drained back through pipe 33. The space 35 above diaphragm 32 is in communication with the atmosphere, as by means of one or more openings 48.

'I'he disc 3l of diaphragm assembly 29, is attached to the lower end of a rod 36. 'Ihe upper end of rod 36 exterior of the body, has a pivotal connection 31 with a lever 38. This lever has a pivotal connection 39 with the'iixedA supporting brackets 4I and 42. The adjacent end 43 of lever 38 operates within a fork 44, carried by bracket 4I, in order that the lever may be steadied. The extended end of lever 38 carries the adjustable weight '46. I

The pilot or venting valve which is controlled by movements of rod 36, `includes a pair of concentric stationary seat rings 41 and 48. A valve disc 49 is disposed above the seat rings 41 and 48, and the lower side of this disc is provided with lal suitable facing I, such as a facing made-of resilient synthetic rubber. Disc 49 is attached to the lower end of an annular shell 52, the upper end of which is provided with an inwardly extending flange 53, forl engagement with an annular shoulder 54 formed on a sleeve 56. Sleeve 56 is attached to the upper end of rod 36, and is loosely accommodated within the shell 52. Valve disc 49 also loosely fits about the rod 36, and interposed between disc 49 and the lower end of sleeve 56, there is a compression spring 51. The annular space 59 which communicates through the concentric seats 41 and 48, is connected by passages 6I, with the chamber 28 Yabove the pallet I3. Therefore when valve disc 49 is moved to open position by upward movement ofirod' 36, chamber 28 is difrectly ventedto the atmosphere through passageSsL 5 Movement of the rod 36 and the diaphragm assembly, can be limited by a suitable means.

'lhus the lower end 62 of rod 36 engages a pad 63, formed centrally of Wall 21, to limit downward movement of rod 36. Upward movement of rod 36 is limited by an adjustable set screw 64, shown carried by bracket 4I, and which is adapted to engage the end portion 43 of lever 38.

Operation of the regulator described above, can 4be outlined as follows: It will be assumed that the inlet opening II is connected to a storage tank containing a volatile petroleum fraction and to which pipe 33 is also connected. The outlet opening IZ can be at atmospheric pressure, and the device is set by adjusting Weight 46, to remain closed until the pressure 1n the tank has increased beyond a predetermain closedA upon the seat I4, since the pres` sure in chamber 36 is the same as the inlet pressure, while the combined area of the pallet I3 and the diaphragm 2| exposed to gas .in chamber 28 is considerably greater than the area of the pallet which is exposed to the inilow pressure inopening II. When the pressure in the tank increases beyond the predetermined value for which the device is set, the pressure within chamber 3,8, forces the diaphragm 32 upwardly,and the raising of rod 36 against weight 46 moves the pilot valve disc 49 to open position. Thus the chamber 28 above the pilot I3 is freely vented through passages 6I, and the reduction in pressure in chamber 23 causes the upward forces acting upon pallet I3 to move itto open position. 'Ihus gases or vapors within the tank are permitted toescape through the outflow openingl I2. When the pressure within the tankfalls below the pressure'value for which the device is set, diaphragm assembly'29 moves downwardly under the urge' of weight 46, and pilot valve disc 49 is forced down upon its seat by the compression spring 51. Pressure rapidly builds up in chamber 28 by virtue of a flow of gas from thev inflow opening II. through the restricted orifice I9. Within a short time suncient pressure is built up in chamber 28 to force the pallet I3 to closed position.

Because of the manner in which the pallet I3 in .effect forms a continuation of the pressure surfaces formed by diaphragm 2|, the device is also opened when conditions of sufcient vacuum are experienced within the tank. Thisis because when the pressure in chamber 28 has been lowered below a given degree of vvacuum such as is unsafe for the tank, the upward pressure of the atmosphere on the lower side of diaphragm 2l lifts the pallet to open position.

vIn some instances it-is desirable to afford means wherebyea sudden condition of vacuum inthe tank is` immediatelyapplied to chamber 28 to cause immediate opening ofthe pallet. This can beaccomplished by a check valve 65, interposed between .the passage 34, 'andlthe chamber 28. This check valve can be of simple construction, consistingf'or' example of a sleeve 66, the upper edge of which forms a' Valve seat to cooperate with the movable disc 61. Disc 61 is loosely retained in place by means of the central screw 68, and Vif desired a light compression spring 69 can b e provided to urge' the Vdisc 61 towards closed position. The openings through this check should ISOV 'afford a cross sectional flow area substantially greater than orifice I9. v In the event a condi- 4tionp'of unsafe vacuum is'- suddenly experienced within the storagev tank, check valve t5 is immediately opened because. of the greater pressure in chamber 2li, whichA must necessarily exist at that time because of insufficient time afforded for 'equalizing of pressures above and below the pallet I8. Such application of vacuum to chamber 23 will cause immediate opening, because of the pressure of the atmosphere upon the lower side of the flexible diaphragm 2i.

As pointed out above the check valve 65 takes care of sudden conditions of unsafe vacuum in .the storage tank, to cause immediate opening of the pallet I3. VAs previously explained where the conditions of unsafe vacuum within the stor-` age tank are attained gradually, the pallet IS also opens automatically to permit iniiow of gas from the outflow opening I2 because of the reduction in pressure in the gas chamber afforded by orifice I9.

Check 651 also perfornm an added function in that it insures venting of chamber 28 to the atmosphere in the event diaphragm 32 is ruptured. With a small pressure pipe 33, venting through check E5 to the atmosphere, and through the ruptured diaphragm, can occur at a rate suihcient to cause opening of the pallet, thus preventing undue building up of vapor pressure in the tank under such conditions.

t will be evident from the foregoing that my regulator is of simple construction, and is designed to avoid troublesome machined guide bearings, which are subject to corrosion and jamming and which tend to interfere with reliable operation. The making of the pallet I3 to serve both the function of a closure for the main valve seat and also as a part of the fluid pressure operated assembly, makes for simplicity and reliability of operation. Also this arrangement together with the dished form of the pallet I3, insures drainage of condensate with return of this condensate directly to the inflow opening l I. With the preferred construction illustrated, I not only take into account conditions of extreme pressure, but also conditions of vacuum which may injure the storage tank. As previously pointed out both conditions of unsafe pressure and vacuum are relieved, by opening of the pallet I3, and in addition the vapor tank is protected in the event the device is made inoperative by rupture of the pilot diaphragm.

I claim:

1. In a gas flow regulator, a body having inflow and outflow openings, the inflow opening being adapted to be connected to a source of gas or vapor normally under pressure, an annular seat formed within the body, a closure pallet cooperating with said seat and formed of rigid material, said pallet being dished downwardly and having its lower portion provided with a flow restricting orilice for establishing restricted communication between the upper and lower sides of the pallet, and a flexible annular diaphragm, the inner peripheral edge of said diaphragm being attached to the outer edge portion of the pallet and the outer peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm being attached to the body, said body being formed whereby the lower side of said flexible diaphragm is freely exposed to gas pressure upon the outflow side of the regulator and being also formed to afford a closed gas chamber extending over both the diaphragm and the pallet,

said gas lchamber being adapted to be vented with said orice open to effect opening of the pallet.

2. In a gas flow regulator, a body having inow and outow openings, the inflow opening being adapted to be connected with a source of gas or vapor normally `under pressure, a substantially horizontally disposed valve seat formed within the body, a substantially rigid closure pallet cooperating with said valve seat, said pallet being dished downwardly, means forming a flow restricting oriice extending directly through said pallet and disposed near the lower endV of the same, said orifice serving to drain liquid condensate into the inflow opening, an annular exible l diaphragm having its inner peripheral edge portion attached to the outer peripheral edge portion of the pallet, said diaphragm having its outer peripheral edge portion attached to said body, and serving to retain the pallet centered with respect to the seat, said body being formedto freely expose the lower sideof said diaphragm to outflow pressure and being also formed to provide a closed gas chamber extending over both the upper side of the diaphragm and the upper side of said pallet, whereby movement of said pallet is controlled solely in response to gas pressure exerted thereon and on said diaphragm, said closed chamber being adapted to be vented with said orifice open to eiect opening of the pallet.

3. In a gas flow regulator, a body having inflow and outflow openings, the iniiow opening being adapted to be connected to a source of gas or vapor normally under pressure, a substantially horizontal valve seat formed within the body, a substantially rigid closure pallet cooperating with said valve seat, means for establishing communication between the upper and lower sides of said pallet, said last means including a flow restricting orifice extending through the pallet and also a check valve for controlling ow between the two sides of the pallet, said check valve being opened by gas pressure below the pallet, and an annular flexible diaphragm having its inner peripheral edge portion attached to the outer peripheral edge portion of the pallet and having its outer peripheral edge portion attached to the body, said body being formed whereby lthe lower side of said diaphragm is freely exposed to outflow pressure and whereby a closed gas chamber is formed extending over both the upper side ofl the diaphragm and the upper side of the pallet, said gas chamber being adapted to be vented to effect opening of the pallet. 1

4. In a gas iiow regulator, a body having inflow and outflow openings, a valve seat formed within the body, a movable closure cooperating with said valve seat, means for effecting automatic opening movement of said valve member, said means including a gas chamber adapted to be vented, means for establishing a connection between the source of gas or vapor pressure and said chamber, and means for effecting venting of said gas chamber responsive to either a condition of excess pressure or extreme vacuum from said source.

5. In a gas flow regulator, a body having iniiow and outflow openings, the inflow opening being adapted to be connected to a source of gas or vapor normally under pressure, an annular seat formed within the body, the passage through said seat serving to establish communication between the inow and outflow sides of the regulator, a closure pallet having an annular surface cooperating with said seat, said pallet being formed of rigid material and having an outer peripheral edge portion extending beyond said annular seat, an annular flexible diaphragm having its inner peripheral edge portion attached to the outer peripheral edge portion of the pallet in a plane parallel to 'and adjacent the plane of said annular surface, the outer peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm being attached to the body, said body being formed whereby the lower side of said flexible diaphragm is freely exposed to gas pressure upon the outflow side of the regulator and being also formed to provide a closed chamber extending over both the flexible diaphragm and the pallet, whereby movement of said pallet is controlled solely7 in response to gas pressure exerted thereon and on said diaphragm, means establishing restricted communication between said chamber and the inflow side of the regulator, said chamber being adapted to be vented with said communication establishing means open to effect opening of the closure pallet, and means in addition to said annular diaphragm, attached to said pallet, and serving to minimize lateral cooking of the same.

6; In a gas flow regulator, a body affording inlet and outlet openings, an annular valve seat formed in the body, an annular pallet disposed upon the valve seat and having an annular surface adapted to seat upon the seat, an annular flexible diaphragm having its inner peripheral edge attached to the outer periphery of the pallet in a plane parallel to and adjacent the plane of said annular surface, the outer peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm being attached to the body, means forming a closed gas chamber over the diaphragm and pallet, means forming a continuous restricted communication between the inlet and said chamber whereby inlet'pressure in said chamber normally serves as substantially the entire force on the diaphragm to retain said pallet closed upon the seat, and means for rapidly Venting gas from said chamber to eiect opening of said pallet, said pallet. being also opened by vacuum beyond a predetermined degree in said chamber due to a corresponding vacuum in the inlet.

ALBERT E. JURS. 

